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The City Council will continue its review of the operating and capital budgets. The Council is holding a second budget hearing Monday evening at 7: 30 p.m. at the Library.
I have proposed three amendments to the Mayor's proposed operating budget. The three amendments would add $700 for the Senior Center $16,160 for the Library, and $12,763 Community Center and Recreation. The total addition is $29,623, which represents a 0.66% increase to the levy.
1. Add 5% to 2006 Sr. Program Expenses and Program Development (Home Chores). The total amount of the amendment is $700.
2. The Library amendment is a total of $16,160. That includes $5873 for materials, $1290 for children services, $2000 for service contracts, and $6997 for part-time wages. For the materials and children's services that represents a 5% increase over 2006. However, we have eliminated the book lease program ($6,000 in 2006). The proposal will still leave the library with $1700 less than in 2006 for service contracts.
3. Add a part-time program assistant (19 hours/week) split 50/50 between the Rec. budget and the Comm. Center. Total $12,763. The Parks Board passed a similar proposal as part of its budget request.
My general feeling is that small decreases or increases in local spending have a pretty small impact on our individual property tax bill (we pay a lot either way), but can have a large positive or negative impact on the quality of services we receive. If my property taxes are high anyway, I'd rather pay a few (and I really do mean a few) more dollars and maintain or improve services.
Thursday, November 16, 2006
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Part time help for rec is fine, but how about the council deal with the larger issue which is poor leadership of the department. Many people complain about the disorganization. One has to wonder what is going on that we cannot get decent people to run these city departments. Look at all the departures we have had. The lousy ones were forced out and the good ones left because they do not want to work in Monona any more. Where does the buck stop? Could the problem lie the leadership of Mr. Berner?
ReplyDeleteInterestingly enough in my Monona housing survey, I stressed the importance of the Rec Dept. I know so many people who were first drawn to Monona because of the pool or dream park and then decided to move here when the time was right. It isn't just a fluff dept, but could be a more essential part of our community than we often realize. It needs to be fully funded.
ReplyDeleteDear Stinky C., make sure the rest of the council and the mayor hears from you (nicely). We are voting on the budget next Monday. Meeting begins at 7:30 pm.
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